Not currently offered
Course code

LING6030

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course will provide students with psychological, sociological and linguistic perspectives on the acquisition of a second language, with particular emphasis on English as a Second/Foreign language.


Availability

Not currently offered.

This Course was last offered in Semester 2 - 2023.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Describe the psychological and social processes underlying acquisition and use of a second language;

2. Recognise the contribution to SLA of prior linguistic knowledge ("transfer" from native language; linguistic universals);

3. Identify and classify learner errors and evaluate the significance of errors;

4. Recognise the major theoretical positions in SLA;

5. Critically appraise relevant literature and formulate and effectively communicate own ideas.


Content

Topics to be covered include:

  • The learning process - theories of language learning; differences between first and second language learning
  • The learning environment - sociolinguistic factors affecting language acquisition
  • What makes a "good" language learner - psychological, attitudinal and maturational factors; Krashen's "monitor"; the "critical period" hypothesis
  • The input - role of linguistic universals, first language, target language
  • The nature of the output - approximation to target (error analysis) vs developing system (interlanguage); acquisition order, development stages

Assumed knowledge

Foundations of Linguistics (LING6910) or equivalent.


Assessment items

Professional Task: Error Analysis

Presentation: Audio-Visual Presentation

Essay: Written Assignment

Course outline